Folding christmas tree type of display stand

ABSTRACT

A folding tree-like display stand includes a plurality of axially aligned rings or disks of graduated diameters mounted vertically to form a generally conical shape which stylistically suggests a Christmas tree. Either direct or indirect lighting may be included.

y 4, 1972 G. J. w. GEHL, JR 3,674,612

FOLDING CHRISTMAS TREE TYPE OF DISPLAY STAND Filed July 29. 1970 I III.

INVENTOR GERRY GEHL JR.

BY 22k, M

ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,674,612 FOLDING CHRISTMAS TREE TYPEOF DISPLAY STAND Gerry J. W. Gehl, Jr., 4512 W. Burleigh St., Milwaukee,Wis. 53210 Filed July 29, 1970, Ser. No. 59,071 Int. Cl. A47g 33/04,33/16 US. Cl. 161-23 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE My inventionrelates to a new and novel type of display stand and more particularlyto a device that may be employed as a Christmas tree.

Artificial Christmas trees have become progressively more popular as thecost of real trees has increased. In the past, these artificial treeshave tended to be imitations of real trees with plastic or metalbranches and needles Sometimes the artificial trees are flocked. As aresult, the assembly of the trees has been time consuming. The boxes forstoring the trees have been large. The flocking on the trees has tendedto come off. Also, these trees have not given the opportunity forcreative decorative touches.

Accordingly, an object of my invention is to provide a Christmastree-like display stand of collapsible annular devices of graduatedsizes which nest together for easy storage.

Another object of the invention is to provide a Christmas tree-likedevice that may be assembled from a plurality of circular ring sectionsor circular discs.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of thedescribed character that may be used to display ornamental objects, orthe like, in such a manner that they may be easily installed, removed,or replaced.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a devicethat isdesigned to display any conventional Christmas tree lights or ornamentswhich may be placed thereon.

In keeping with the invention, an artificial Christmas tree has aplurality of shelves which may support gifts or other ornamentaldisplays. The device may be constructed in the form of shelves made fromcircular rings or of discs which accommodate the articles disposedthereon. The stem may be telescopically constructed from a plurality oftubes slidably engaging one another. Cables or chains may be employed tosupport the rings or shelves from the stem and from one another.Obviously, the rings or shelves may also be of any other form, shape orcontour and may be spaced at any desired distance,

from one another. Thus, the shelves may be free formed.

Other and further objects of the invention will become more apparent asthe description proceeds, when taken in conjunction with one another andthe drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of the entire assembled device;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the device as shown in FIG.1 and taken along line 2--2 thereof;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a portion of thetelescopic vertical support and of the shelves made from circular ringssupported therefrom (showing partially in cross-section in the lowerring);

FIG. 4 is a modified fragmentary view of a portion of the assembleddevice showing shelves made from circular discs instead of rings;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a portion of the ring,with a ledge or ridge at its top; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a portion of one of thediscs with a ledge or ridge at its upper surface and lights on its lowersurface.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts and featuresthroughout the several views. More particularly, the character 10identifies a telescoping vertical support or stem which consists of aplurality of tubular sections slidably engaging one another.

Any suitable stop or pin P may preclude the further slippage of thetelescoping sections inside each other. Thus, if the lower end of asmall diameter pipe is slipped into the top end of a large diameterpipe, a long pole is formed; however, if the upper end of a smalldiameter pipe is fit into the bottom of a larger diameter pipe, a shorteasily stored section of nesting pipes is formed. Also, the pin P may bea spring biased clip which can be pushed in to release the sections.

There is a conical top member 11 attached to the upper section of thesupport 10 at 12. A base 13 supports the vertical stem 10, which is heldin engagement therewith by means of a set-screw 14, or the like.Obviously, the support 10, the top member 11, and the base 13 may bemade of any conventional design and constructed of any rigid material,such as metal or plastic.

A plurality of nesting rings 15 (see FIGS. 1, 2 and 3), are formed inany suitable manner. These rings may be flat on their upper surface 16,and they may be of any width. Preferably, however, they have graduateddiameters so that they all nest and fit together when in storage. Theyare here shown as having an inner circular vertical section 17, and anouter vertical circular section 18. If desired, the outer section 18 mayalso extend upwardly as shown at 19 in FIG. 5, thereby forming a ledgefor holding ornaments. The rings 15 may have an inverted U-shapedcross-section and also be constructed of any type of rigid material,such as metal or plastic. They preferably are supported from the topmember 11 by means of cords 20 or chains engaging loops 21 on the innersurfaces of the rings 15. Thus, these cords 20 may be in the form ofchains or other material for supporting the rings 15, one from theother. The rings 15 vary in size with the top ring being smaller thanthe next highest ring, which is smaller than the next one. However, forcertain unusual affects, other arrangements could be made.

In FIGS. 4 and 6, I show that the rings 15 may be replaced by circulardiscs 22, which are also supported by cords 20, as at 23, and they varyin size to taper upwardly from a large disc at the bottom to a smallerone at the top, as shown in FIG. 1.

A string of lights L may be run around the skirt formed by a portion ofcylindrical wall 25 depending from the bottom of the disc. These lightswill give an indirect lighting effect.

The object of the discs 22 is to permit the user to place variousarticles thereon for display on the upper surface shown as 24. Thesediscs 22 may also be equipped with upwardly disposed ledges formed bythe portion of cylindrical wall 25 which projects above the top of thedisc in FIG. 6 to prevent the objects set onto the surface 24 fromsliding off. The cords 20 are attached to the discs 22 by means ofeyelets 26 (see FIG. 6).

From the above description, it should be apparent that the device issimple in construction, economical to manufacture, and easy to assembleor disassemble. The vertical support 10 may be easily disassembled, andthe base 13 may be easily removed, and the rings 15, or the discs 22will nest one onto the other, making it easy to store the entire unit.

Although I have shown a specific construction and arrangement of theparts and features constituting my invention, changes may be made in theparts and features without alfecting the operativeness of the device.Therefore, the claims are to be construed to cover all equivalents whichdo not depart from the spirit or the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A Christmas tree type display stand comprising a telescoping centralstem including a plurality of stem members,

said stem members comprising a plurality of concentric cylindrical partswhich telescopingly move between a position where the parts nesttogether and a position where the parts extend outwardly to provide anerect pole,

a plurality of circular shelf members of graduated diameter suspendedfrom said central stern, and a plurality of elongated flexible memberssuspending said circular members from one another, whereby goods andother material may be displayed on said shelf members,

said circular members meeting together with said flexible members inplace for storage and separation when the stem is erected for forming aChristmas tree simulating appearance when suspended by said flexiblemembers.

2. The display stand of claim 1 wherein said circular members areannular rings.

3. The display stand of claim 1 wherein said circular shelf members arediscs having at least upper surfaces 4 which are entirely unobstructedfrom view, in any horizontal direction, except for the obstruction ofsaid stem. 4. The display stand of claim 1 wherein vertical sides areintegral with said shelf members, said vertical sides surrounding saidcircular members to form upper and lower edges for retaining andconcealing light means positioned on and supported under said circularmembers, said light means being attached to the bottom of said shelfmembers and concealed behind said vertical sides. 5. The display standof claim 1 and a conical cap attached to the top of said central stem.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,654,427 12/1927 Modlarz 161-24X 2,586,791 2/1952 Dattilo 161-23 X 1,577,207 3/ 1926Dieperink-Langereis 161-23 X 227,693 5/1880 Kiesele 240-10 T 2,851,8079/1958 Taylor 161-23 1,419,721 6/1922 Diederichs 240-10 T 2,731,7521/1956 Erickson et al. 161-22 X 835,445 11/1906 Leonard 161-23 X PHILIPDIER, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

